In accordance with Step 3 of the ‘Roadmap out of Lockdown’ the Salford arts centre expects to re-start face-to-face performances week commencing Monday, 17 May - pending the final green light from government on Monday, 10 May.

The first show will be outdoor performances of the critically acclaimed production C-O-N-T-A-C-T at Salford Quays and in Manchester city centre.

Delivered in partnership with Aria Entertainment and WEF Productions, it will run from Tuesday, 18 May to Sunday, 27 June.

From Saturday, 22 May, the galleries will re-open at weekends, with two exhibitions on offer: the permanent LS Lowry: The Art & The Artist and a physical display of the online Days Like These exhibition, which tells the story of Salfordians experiences of lockdown using paintings, photographs, films and poetry.

The first indoor, socially distanced performance will take place on Sunday, 30 May as comedian Michael Spicer brings The Room Next Door to the venue’s Lyric Theatre. Following this, Northern Ballet will present Dangerous Liaisons from Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 June.

The Lowry has also announced a major new show for 2022 – with Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical Les Misérables set to run from Tuesday, 29 March – Saturday, 23 April next year.

Tickets go on-sale at 10am tomorrow (Wednesday, 24 March) at thelowry.com.

Commenting on the planned line-up, Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said:

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“Words cannot express how excited we are to be putting plans in place for the re-opening of our building.

“I’m incredibly proud of the online and off-site activity we have delivered during the pandemic – and much of that style of delivery is here to stay for the future – but to be able to welcome people through our doors once again is an important and much-welcomed step in the right direction.”

 

Already announced for this Christmas, The Lowry will offer three hit shows: Stick Man (Tuesday, 30 November to Sunday, 9 January), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Wednesday, 8 December – Saturday, 15 January) and SIX (Tuesday, 14 December – Sunday, 9 January.)

During lockdown, The Lowry launched #LoveLowry - a virtual theatre, gallery and studio space that presents performances, artworks, exhibitions, tours, workshops, comment and blogs, curated by their creative team and special guest curators.

A Salford sunbed shop has been ordered to stop allowing customers to top up their tans in the midst of a pandemic.

Ten people were found on the premises either on sunbeds, waiting to use them or having just completed treatment when police visited the premises of Bronze Boutique Sunbed Shop in Market Way, Salford last week.

Salford City Council has now served a prohibition order on the premises requiring the business to cease any cosmetic treatment during lockdown.

Failure to comply with the order could lead to a £10,000 fixed penalty notice or prosecution with an unlimited fine on conviction.

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said the actions were ‘unbelievable.’

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“One in three people have the virus without showing symptoms and we know that it can spread much more easily indoors. Putting people’s health at risk for the sake of a tan is utterly irresponsible as well as illegal and both the customers and the business owner should have known better,” he said.

“We have engaged with every business in the city to explain the rules and the business support grants that are available to help them while they cannot trade and the public cannot be ignorant of the ban on non-essential shops and meeting indoors.

“We received allegations that this shop, which is not classed as essential, was opening several days a week and telling customers to ring the door-bell and ask for entry so we asked police colleagues to investigate. We and the police will now monitor the shop until it is legally allowed to re-open.”

 

PC Krys Urbaniak from GMP said:

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"We were called to a report of a non-essential business that was still operating under the current lockdown regulations. On arrival there were a number of people in the premises who were either waiting or receiving treatment, each person was issued with an FPN.

“We work in partnership with the local authority, who lead on engaging with local businesses to ensure COVID compliance. Where needed we will support any clear breaches and attend sites alongside them. Due to the current legislation, this type of activity is prohibited due to the potential for the continued spread of COVID-19, which may extend the dates of the next stages of the roadmap.

"Although it has been a long time since we were able to do normal things, we are on what we hope to be the final stretch. Let's work together to make sure we continue to reduce the spread of infection and are able to get out of lockdown by 21 June."

 

It is unknown if the operators own a string of successful sunbeds shops in Greater Manchester.

Photo: Madge and Mel - Benidorm

Five men and a woman have been arrested after police executed warrants in Manchester and Salford on Friday evening and seized large quantities of cash and drugs.

On Friday 19 March, officers from GMP’s Salford district searched an address off Littleton Road in the Kersal area where a considerable amount of cash – believed to be in excess of £5000 – was recovered as well as some white powder.

A 24-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug and money laundering.

They have both been questioned by detectives and released on bail.

Later that evening, GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Group (SOCG) arrested four more men in the Strangeways area where a substantial amount of cash and approximately 7 kilos of suspected class A and B drugs were recovered.

The men – aged between 23 and 41 years old – were taken to custody for questioning and have since been released under investigation.

The action is part of a SOCG investigation into drug supply in the Manchester and Salford areas. A total of 12 arrests have been made as part of the operation since its inception earlier this month.

These latest arrests came as a man was arrested in Kersal earlier today and another large amount of cannabis recovered.

HUGE HAUL OF CANNABIS AND A SUSPECTED STOLEN E-BIKE RECOVERED AFTER LOWER KERSAL DRUGS BUST - Local - salford.media

Anyone with information or concerns about the supply of illegal drugs should contact police online, via 101 or always 999 in an emergency. Details can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police Officers from Salford North East Neighbourhood Team uncovered a substantial amount of cannabis after executing a warrant in Lower Kersal today, a male was also arrested for possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Additionally a suspected stolen Electric Bike was recovered from within the property.

Police say that they have recently identified an issue in Lower Kersal and the surrounding areas whereby children under the age of 12 are being sold cannabis by dealers, who then prey on them with the intent of using their addictions as an avenue to further exploit them, by involving them in drug dealing.

GMP say that this will not be tolerated and they will not stop until the cities children are left to enjoy their childhoods in peace without risk of exploitation.

Members of the grassroots movement in Eccles have continued to strive for Northern England’s communities and work towards a greener transport future, despite the pandemic.

Figures from Community Rail Network’s Community Rail in the North briefing – sponsored by Rail Delivery Group - (being launched today, 24 March) highlight that over 3,000 volunteers give over 140,000 hours annually, valued at £11.7 million, to improve social inclusion and wellbeing, promote sustainable and healthy travel, and support economic development, in their local area.

Working with the North’s 20 community rail partnerships and 350 station groups, they engage local people with their railways and stations, working with train operators, local authorities, and other partners. Activities include: volunteering, community gardening and biodiversity projects at stations; community arts and heritage projects; work with rail industry partners towards improvements and integration, such as shelters, signage, pedestrian and cyclist access; and events, workshops and activities to promote sustainable travel, bring people together, and celebrate the local community.

Community rail is now looking forward to playing a pivotal role in building back better from Covid, and helping our railways to be a vital component of a greener, more inclusive way forward as part of a ‘green recovery’.

 In Eccles, FRECCLES works to work with the Council and rail industry to improve the Station environment and improve the service that is offered to passengers.

Commenting on the importance of the community rail movement in the North of England, Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network said:

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“Community rail works to make our railways community-minded and inclusive, and promotes sustainable travel by rail, bringing people together and bolstering local pride and wellbeing. In the North, community rail partnerships and groups have adapted and responded, supporting communities through the pandemic, maintaining positivity, and advising rail partners on shifting local needs.

 “As we start to rebuild from Covid-19, within the community rail movement, and across our railways, we will be redoubling efforts, to create confidence and togetherness, and play our part in enabling more people to get around by socially and environmentally responsible means. Community rail is all about communities and connectedness, and people working together locally to make things better for each other and our shared future – that couldn’t be more important right now.”

 

FRECCLES are keen to resume activities post-Covid and would welcome anyone who would be keen to help us add value to the community.

For more information on FRECCLES, visit freccles.org.uk.

For more information on community rail, visit communityrail.org.uk. 

Continuing with our pledge to reward the unsung community heroes who have done so much for their local community and for no reward or recognition, we had no hesitation in awarding the highly prized and much valued (that enough Ed?) award to a Community Champion.

Today we visited Eccles Precinct to present our latest salford.media Community Award to a lady who is a familiar figure there as she serves up drinks in all weathers to her dedicated customers.

Yvonne McGarvey has run the Eccles Coffee Stall there for the past four years and has turned this corner of the Precinct into a meeting place, were her loyal customers come for a chat, a brew and talk their cares away.

The Covid crisis has hit Yvonne as hard as anyone else but she rose to the occasion and as soon as restrictions were eased, it was normal service as usual and the customers I have spoken to, were delighted to see her back.

Yvonne not only dispenses drinks with a smile for all her customers but has a real care for them, she can be seen organising Bingo sessions with prizes she donates herself and with the profits made she takes takes her many of her more elderly customers out for a day trip, four times a year to Southport, Blackpool and Morecambe where they get a free meal in a hotel and free transport there and back, for which she deserves a round of applause at least, a real unsung hero and a fitting recipient of the award.

She has become a huge asset to Eccles Precinct and is beloved by her customers just as much as the hot beverages she serves.

So if your in the Precinct why not take the weight off your feet, have a brew with Yvonne and watch the world go by.

Police are currently dealing with a shooting incident on Cholmondeley Road in Irlams o' th' Height this morning (Weds 17th March) after shots were fired at a windows of a property on the road at around 07:40am.

Police say that no one has been injured the damage was sustained to the home.

A scene remains in place this morning as police forensic investigations are carried out.

A GMP spokesperson said:

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"At around 07:40am on Wednesday 17 March 2021, police were called to a report of a firearms discharge on Cholmondeley Road, Salford.

"Officers attended and established that a bullet had been fired at a property.

"No one was injured, but damage was caused to the property.

"No arrests have been made and an investigation is on-going.

"A scene remains in place."

 

Police are asking that anyone with information should contact the police on 101, quoting 506 of 17/03/21 or the independent charity – Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The selection of a Jury for the trial of two Salford men for the murder of Walkden mum Michelle Pearson is underway with the case against them set to open at Manchester Crown Court in the morning.

Zak Bolland, 26, and David Worrall, 28, have both denied murdering Michelle Pearson, despite already having previously been found guilty of the murder of four children as the result of a fire they set back in November 2017 as the family slept in their Walkden home.

Last week, Courtney Brierley aged 23, Plead guilty to the manslaughter of Michelle during an appearance via video link from HMP Send, Ripley, Surrey.

Ms Pearson died in August 2019 after a mammoth struggle with her injuries sustained during the fire, almost a year after the flames tore through her Walkden home killing four of her young children.

The trial is set to last at least three weeks.

A Salford man has gone alcohol-free for two months to improve his health and raise funds for homelessness charity Emmaus Salford.

33-year-old Taran Knight from Lower Broughton has completed his Dry January & February charity challenge and so far raised more than £600 for Emmaus Salford.

Taran took on the challenge to help Emmaus support formerly homeless people and families affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

Taran said:

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“The reason I set up this fundraiser is because Emmaus is a local charity and I knew the money raised would directly help people in Salford.

“Financial inequality has grown during the pandemic and there’s a lot of people out there who are struggling. I know the donations I received as part of my fundraiser will be used by Emmaus to pay for items for the people who need it most.”

 

Emmaus Salford supports formerly homeless people by providing them with a stable home, meaningful work and support for as long as they need it. Whilst at Emmaus, people gain skills, experience and confidence by working within the charity’s social enterprise and Lucie’s Pantry social supermarket.

Lucie’s Pantry provides food and household essentials to Salford residents struggling to make ends meet through debt, illness or low income. There are currently 200 members of the pantry who receive items on a weekly basis. In addition, Emmaus Salford also provides emergency food parcels to vulnerable residents across the city.

Rachel Richardson, Community Director at Emmaus Salford, said:

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“We’re extremely grateful to Taran for his fundraising efforts over the past two months. This is a great example of a fundraising idea that can be done from home during lockdown, and one that is good for your health and wellbeing.

“Our whole community send their sincere thanks to Taran and all the kind people who made a donation to his fundraising appeal.”

 

If you would like to find out more or donate to Taran’s fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Taran-Knight

To learn more or support Emmaus Salford, head to https://emmaus.org.uk/salford 

Photo: Salford CVS

Greater Manchester Police's Traffic Unit have made an arrest after they spotted a silver Mercedes vehicle being driven erratically in on Liverpool Road in Eccles.

The occupant was asked to pull over after police from E-Relief became concerned over the persons manner of driving and the general condition of the vehicle.

The passenger side front tyre of the vehicle was flat and badly damaged.

Upon pulling over the occupant was asked to undertake a roadside drug wipe test which indicated positive for Cannabis.

An arrest was made for the offence and the person was taken into police custody, police say that charges relating to driving an unroadworthy vehicle are likely also.

Last year pockets of the country saw a significant rise in drug driving offences, despite traffic reductions of up to 80% due to the coronavirus pandemic and the effects of lockdown.

Photo: GMP

Earlier this morning a large emergency service response descended on Clifton Country Park after reports of a possible body having been seen in the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park.

Shortly after 10.45am on Sunday 14 March 2021, police were called to reports from a concerned member of the public that a possible body had been found in the River Irwell in Clifton Country Park in Salford.

Emergency services were quickly on scene and part of the park has been cordoned off to the public.

Unfortunately we have the sad duty to report that the body of a male thought to be aged in his 50's has been been recovered from the River.

An incident unit from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services (GMFRS) was seen parked at the entrance of the park this morning as responders made their way to the location where the body was reportedly seen.

Underwater Search teams were deployed to the area whereupon they located the body of the man in the water.

Emergency services are currently in attendance and police say that enquiries are ongoing.

We will continue to update this article when we have further details.

Photos: Simon Williams via Facebook

Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Ecclesholme, in Eccles, Manchester were delighted to be able to meet their loved ones in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Thanks to lateral flow testing, the Home has now been able to open its doors to family visits, following new guidance from the government, which allows each care home resident to receive visits from one family member or loved one.

One of the first residents to be reunited with her daughter in person was 101 year old Bella Dooley.

Bella was extremely happy to see her daughter again and to tell her how much she loves her in person and even got the chance to sing their favourite song together. Face to face meetings have really made a difference.

Bella’s daughter, Beverley, said:

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“It’s my first visit in the last twelve months and to be able to hold my mum’s hand and have that contact with her again was amazing. The safety guidance and procedures were excellent. The instructions given, risk assessment and testing were handled really professionally. I felt everything was done to make my visit as safe and secure as possible.”

To ensure the health and safety of residents and staff at the care home, each visitor must undertake a lateral flow test before entering the Home and receive a negative result for Covid-19, before meeting their loved one in person. They must also wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes gloves, apron and a mask.

Ecclesholme acted quickly to protect its elderly residents and staff by closing its doors to all but essential visitors before the first national lockdown last year. However, families have still been able to visit using the Home’s pioneering Covid-secure visitor pod, which opened last summer.

Staff have worked tirelessly to try and ensure residents have continued regular contact with their families by phone or video calls. However, this is the first time residents have been able to meet in the same room as their loved one without a physical partition since this time last year.

Home Manager, Beverley Niland, said:

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“We have been waiting for this moment for a long time and are overjoyed to be able to reunite our residents safely with their loved ones in person.”

“Throughout the pandemic, our staff have gone above and beyond to support our residents to stay connected with their loved ones, which is vital for their wellbeing.

We are so pleased to be moving in the right direction and are looking forward to opening our Home up to more visitors and larger gatherings when it is safe to do so.”

 

During a litter pick earlier today, our very own 'Handy' Hilary Curran along with her friend and BMHA group member Wendy Francis, local resident Janet Hesford and Hilary's nephew Harry, came across three distinctive bright red Royal Mail bags hidden in the undergrowth close to where the busses turn at the top end of Mossfield Road in Swinton.

Hilary, a moderator on our Salford Nature group, is well known for getting stuck in and getting her hands dirty to clean up the cities beauty spots.

She also runs her own I Love Buile Hill Park group on Facebook which was set up for people to share memories and photos of the park.

Hilary said:

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"Wendy Francis (BHMA) my Nephew Harry and I decided to do a short litter pick today in an area we knew was attracting more and more fly tipping.

"I'd had a nosey a couple of weeks before and we planned to tackle it as soon as we could.

"We put a shout out for help on All Litter Heroes and Janet, a local lady kindly answered the call with her litter picker.

"We were pretty surprised to find 3 Royal Mail Postie bags full of mail in the undergrowth.

"It was pretty sad to find them to as there were personal things in the bags like valentines cards, someone's mail order specs and even some new boots.

"Fingers crossed everything in the bags will finally get to its intended destination. We're going to get in touch with Royal mail and go from there.

"I blummin love the litter picking movement that's sweeping over Salford right now, how amazing is our community?"

 

The mail which looks to have been stolen and ditched at some point before valentines day earlier this year, has addresses primarily from around the Walkden area.

One of the trinkets found has the letters R&H surrounded by a love-heart with the date 08/03/20 inscribed upon it. 

Are you the mysterious R or H? If So then please get in touch.

A secretive valentines card has the words 'Bee My Valentine' written on it followed by a '?', obviously meant for someone with a secret admirer perhaps?

Other items included prescription specs and women's boots.

Hilary said it is 'Sad that these people did not get their post and that she would like to see it delivered or returned to sender'.

The pair are now going to 'deliver' the mail back to the Royal Mail in the hope that they can redeliver it to the intended recipients.

Unfortunately, it seems that some of the mail has been damaged by the elements , whilst other letters seem to have been ripped open by what is assumed the thief as they riffled through envelopes looking for money and valuables.

The pair say that they would like to see the items and trinkets found amongst the mail find their way to those they rightfully belong too.

We will keep you 'Posted', on any developments.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 34-year-old man was taken to hospital after sustaining a leg injury during a hit-and-run incident at the Shell 'Moorside' Petrol Station on the East Lancashire Road (A580) in Swinton yesterday (11th March) at around 2:40pm.

Police say enquiries into the incident are on going and are asking for any member of the public who may have been witness to step forward.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police, said:

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“Police were called following a report of a collision between a man and a vehicle at a petrol station on East Lancashire Road, Swinton, at about 2.40pm on Thursday 11 March, 2021.

“The vehicle failed to stop following the collision.

“A 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with leg injuries.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

 

Any information or witnesses should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 1469 of 11/03/2021, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Salford City Council has confirmed its commitment to securing the future of Buile Hill Mansion with the announcement that the council will contribute to funding over next two years.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said that work to secure the long term use of the mansion ‘continues and is moving forwards’ now and confidence is now building for the future of the much loved building.

A new steering group between the council and Buile Hill Mansion Association (BHMA) has been brought together to drive this work forwards.

The overall aim is to bring the historic Buile Hill Mansion and the adjoining depot area back to life in a way that the community and city can benefit from, with a legacy for the future.

The work of the steering group includes finding a sustainable way forward to secure the full restoration.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“I have previously spoken of my commitment to deliver proposals that will see Buile Hill Mansion being brought back into use. This important work continues and is moving forwards now with council funding allocated for the next two years.  

“Council officers and the BHMA started meeting regularly from autumn last year and have made good progress to identify appropriate uses.

“A range of options are being considered and I’d like to thank the BMHA for their hard work and commitment.

“The historic mansion has been empty for some time so the cost of restoration will be significant, and partners will be needed but we are showing our commitment and intent by planning essential works in 2021/22.

“The council and BHMA will develop proposals and produce a business plan for the mansion and depot and explore all opportunities for third party funding to assist the delivery of the proposals.

“Once this business plan has been prepared and approved I will share proposals with the community for their views.”

 

The mansion sits within the council’s grade II listed park.

A pandemic hero and Salix Homes employee who devoted his time to volunteering while on furlough has been named Volunteer of the Year in the Spirit of Salford Community Awards 2021.

Steve Finbow, from Higher Broughton, has worked as our business change project manager for five years, but when he was placed on furlough last year he decided to put his spare time to good use and do his bit for the Covid-19 relief effort.

He began volunteering at food poverty charity The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) last year, but when he was placed on furlough in April 2020 he was able to dedicate more time to the charity, signing up as their volunteer co-ordinator based at their warehouse in Trafford Park.

Steve volunteered seven days a week, co-ordinating the other volunteers and sourcing donations. He also managed to grow the volunteering team from just a dozen when he first started to a 120-strong team operating 275 shifts a week. 

During 2020, the Bread and Butter Thing delivered 3.2million meals to people in need.

Steve said:

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“I took up volunteering while on furlough as I wanted to add some routine to my week and support the community during the pandemic, so to be recognised in the Spirit of Salford Awards is completely unexpected and a real honour.

“The Bread and Butter Thing is a wonderful charity, which has made a real difference to people’s lives during the pandemic and I’m very proud to be a part of it. All the volunteers do a fantastic job and this Spirit of Salford Community Award is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”

 

Since returning to work at Salix Homes, Steve has continued to volunteer for the charity in his spare time.

Sue Sutton, chief executive at Salix Homes, said:

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“We are all incredibly proud of Steve and the extraordinary effort he’s made to help families in desperate situations during the pandemic. His selfless commitment to supporting communities goes right to the heart of our values as an organisation and is a real testament to the kind of people who work here.

“Steve always strives to make the best of every situation and is an inspiration to us all, so we’re delighted that he has been honoured in the Spirit of Salford Community Awards.”

 

Mark Game, CEO of TBBT said:

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"Steve is a TBBT legend. He worked so brilliantly alongside our staff team to enable TBBT to support literally thousands of families across the North of England during lockdown and beyond. I genuinely don't think we could have done it without him.

“His passion, dedication and sense of humour were a joy to work alongside and we're all enormously grateful that he joined us at that critical time. He's the perfect example of someone who goes above and beyond to make positive, life-changing things happen."

 

Salix Homes tenant Susan Hinder also picked up a Spirit of Salford Award being named Neighbour of the Year in recognition of all she does to support her community in Pendleton.

The Spirit of Salford Community Awards 2021 recognised people and public services that made a difference in Salford during the pandemic.

The winners were announced at a virtual ceremony hosted by City Mayor Paul Dennett and BBC presenter Emma Goswell. Famous Salfordians Peter Hook, Catherine Tyldesley and Stephen Lord also joined the ceremony to pay their own tributes to the Salford heroes.

View the full list of winners here

The Lowry has taken its #DaysLikeThese exhibition to the streets of Salford with a city-wide billboard campaign, enabled through support from Art Fund. 

With its galleries still closed in line with the national lockdown, The Lowry has selected seven works submitted to the exhibition by members of the public to feature in the huge poster sites.

Among them is 74-year-old Barbara from Ordsall, whose photograph of a mosaic rainbow in the window of her home, entitled Showing My Appreciation was the first poster site to go live outside The Lowry at Salford Quays.

Also included in the campaign is: Untitled by Gulafshah; View from a Window by Tiago; My Son Rafe by Karen from Eccles; Our School at Home by pupils from St. Mary’s RC Primary School in Swinton; The Carrs by Nessa Heath and Missing our Family by Amanda.

Postcards of the work will also be sent to 20,000 addresses in the city.

The exhibition and this programme to take art out into the city has been supported and enabled through a Respond and Reimagine grant from national arts charity Art Fund, funding designed to help museums, galleries and historic houses adapt following the pandemic and evolve for the future.

Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said:

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“Our #DaysLikeThese exhibition was launched very early into the first lockdown and it has been amazing to see how people’s creative responses to the pandemic have changed over time.

“We’ve shared that work online and cannot wait to do so in person when our galleries can re-open in the coming months. Until then, we thought why not get the work out there onto the streets where people can enjoy it safely – and Art Fund very generously agreed to help make it happen.”

 

#DaysLikeThese remains open to new submissions. Experiences can be in any form, be they stories, artwork, films, performances, poems or photographs.

For more information, please visit: www.thelowry.com

They have been a pain for drivers but residents and local businesses are set to benefit from a better road surface when essential repairs to Eccles New Road and South Langworthy Road begin on Saturday 20 March.

The work – which will see large sections of the road repaired – is being done by Salford City Council’s highways teams and requires a 17-day partial closure of the Metrolink Eccles line.

Councillor Mike McCusker, executive support member for planning, housing and sustainable development, said:

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“We’re well aware that large sections of Eccles New Road and South Langworthy Road need repairs and the council has been working closely with TfGM for some time now to find the best solution.

“It’s more challenging than our usual road repairs as the Metrolink only stops for a few hours each night. It would not be fair to residents nor practical to do the work at that time so we need the line to close completely.

“The work will be carried out only during the day and we will also use the time to check street lighting, drainage and crash barriers and carry out any necessary repairs. The roadworks will be managed by one-way road closures but access to all side streets and businesses will be maintained.

“We will not be fully resurfacing the road this time as the Metrolink track, which is more than 20 years old now, is due to be upgraded in the future - but we will make good the damage this road has sustained over the last couple of winters.”

 

Resurfacing works are being done now while the road and Metrolink network remains quiet and ahead of the reopening of some non-essential retail and leisure services from 12 April, as set out in the government’s ‘road map’ out of lockdown.

From Saturday 20 March until Monday 5 April (inclusive), trams will only run between Ashton-under-Lyne and MediaCityUK. A bus replacement service will be in operation between Eccles and MediaCityUK.

Anyone travelling during this time should plan in advance and allow extra time for their journey.

Passengers should also follow the latest safety guidelines, such as wearing a face covering, unless exempt, when travelling and can visit www.tfgm.com for the latest information and advice.

Jason Manford is set to perform an un-rehearsed, one-man show at The Lowry this Saturday (13 March) as part of a global event to mark the anniversary of lockdown.

The show, White Rabbit Red Rabbit by Aurora Nova and Nassim Soleimanpour, is one of the most widely performed plays in the world – having been translated into over 30 languages and performed by some of the most respected actors in the business.

Joining that prestigious line-up, Manford will be handed the script live on-stage and will immediately perform the text to an audience watching at home on Zoom.

Tickets for the one-off performance are £10 per household, with all proceeds being donated to The Lowry’s ‘Emergency Appeal’, a fund set-up in March 2020 to help support the Salford charity through the Coronavirus pandemic.

 Tickets are on-sale now at: www.thelowry.com

Jason Manford said:

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“I’m proud to be following in the footsteps of some truly great actors in performing White Rabbit Red Rabbit. It’s a very sad anniversary that we’ve reached, but the end is in sight and I hope this event raises lots of much-needed funds to support The Lowry through this difficult time.”

Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said:

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“We’re proud to be taking part in this global event to highlight the longest theatre shutdown in modern history. Jason is no stranger to The Lowry and we couldn’t think of a better Salford voice to take on the task of performing White Rabbit Red Rabbit.”

White Rabbit Red Rabbit was conceived in 2011 and requires no set, no direction and no rehearsal.

Performances are taking place at 8pm in every time zone around the world - creating a wave of theatrical performances by actors daring to take to the stage with a text they have not seen before, in front of a live audience.

The Lowry building is currently closed until Monday, 17 May in line with the national lockdown and Government’s ‘Roadmap out of Lockdown’.

Earlier today, Courtney Brierley, 23, appeared via a video-link at Manchester Crown Court

She entered a guilty plea to the offence of manslaughter of 37-year-old Ms Michelle Pearson, who died in August 2019, almost a year after fire tore through her Walkden home killing four of her young children.

Brierley, currently residing at HMP Send, Ripley, Surrey, will be sentenced at a later date.

Meanwhile Zak Bolland, aged 26, will stand trial along with David Worrall, aged 28, on Monday March 15th both are charged with the murder of Michelle after previously having been found guilty of the murders of her children who died in the fire back in November 2017.

The murders at the time were described as the most barbaric and brutal in Salford's history.

Our thoughts as ever are with Michelle's family and friends.